Merlynn

Excalibur

Arthur turned 21 today. The staff had been preparing for this day for months now, making sure everything was going to be perfect. Uther and Morgana had spent a lot of time going over plans and making necessary preparations to make sure nothing would go wrong.

Normally, turning 21 wasn't a great milestone for the common man. He might join the village council with the other men, he might inherit his family's small farm, he might even take a wife, but that was as exciting as it got. For a Prince, turning 21 was everything.

Arthur would be old enough to claim his right to the throne, he would no longer be just "Prince Arthur of Camelot," he would become "Arthur Pendragon, Crown Prince of Camelot, heir to the throne."

The festivities had been planned for later that night, after the midsummer sun had set and the night had a chance to cool down. Merlynn and Morris had been running around all day making sure Arthur's clothes were dry, his armor was polished, helping the kitchen staff prepare food, and just about anything else they could think of before the ceremony began.

Arthur, of course, was no help. His moods changed faster than the winds and he was restless all day. It got to be so bad that Merlynn had pulled time out of their day for a one on one sparring session. They spared for a couple of hours before the sweltering sun had them drenched in sweat. After their match, Arthur calmed down a bit as Morris helped him get ready for the ceremony and Merlynn hid Arthur's armor away in her room so she could perform some quick repairs with the help of magic so everything could be ready as well. She took a quick bath herself, used magic to help dry out her hair, pinned it up and got dressed into her red dress she usually wore to important events in Camelot. Arthur's coming-of-age ceremony certainly qualified.

She met up with Arthur and Morris to help Arthur into his armor once Morris had him dressed before the ceremony began and walked with them (Morris and Merlynn slightly behind Arthur) to the throne room. Morris and Merlynn went in ahead of Arthur to take their places. Then Arthur made his grand entrance. He was confident as he walked down the middle of the room before stopping in front of his father and kneeling.

"Do you solemnly swear to govern the people of this kingdom and its dominions according to the statutes, customs, and laws laid down by your forebears?" The King asked Arthur.

"I do, Sire." Arthur spoke with confidence and Merlynn smiled, proud of this moment.

"Do you promise to exercise mercy and justice in your deeds and judgments?"

"I do, Sire."

"And do you swear allegiance to Camelot now and for as long as you shall live?" The King held out his scepter towards Arthur.

Arthur took hold of it with one hand. "I, Arthur Pendragon, do pledge life and limb to your service and to the protection of this kingdom and its peoples."

Merlynn caught a glimpse of Uther's smile as he reached over to the crown worn by every Prince who had ever become King. "Now, being of age and the heir apparent, from henceforth you shall be Crown Prince of Camelot." The King placed the crown on Arthur's head and the crows erupted into applause. Arthur stood up and turned around to face his people. He was beaming as he looked over the people who supported him.

Gwen, who was standing next to Merlynn, leaned over to her and asked "how does it feel to be servant to the Crown Prince of Camelot?"

"Washing his royal socks will be even more of a privilege." Merlynn joked.

Gwen gave a short laugh. "You're proud of him really, even though you complain about him constantly."

"I am not." Merlynn feigned.